by Cedric | Oct 23, 2018 | Food and Drink, General
Tucked away in the mean streets of Selly Oak, Birmingham, is a genuine and delightful Korean restaurant. Dining at Kimchi was a spontaneous decision. My dear friend Adomas had come back from Madagascar and was bored while I ran around on errands all day. We met, at last, in Kimchi.
At first, I was glad to find it so empty. My visit was at around 4pm which explains it. But one cannot complain. Fewer people inadvertently caught in a photo means fewer potential lawsuits. Equally, the chefs are just waiting around to cook for you, which means the food arrives at lightning speed.
Above is pictured the masterful Korean spicy chicken. This gorgeous dish reminds me of a dish which my super chef flatmate See Yu used to make us with porc belly. I have since tried hopelessly to reproduce the beautiful consistency. There is something magical in the way the sesame seeds mingle with the honey and soy sauce caramelisation. I think about this flavour often and wish I could walk in a world where everything were made of this. Perhaps then it would not be so special. Anyway, below is pictured my own attempt, before I move onto Adomas’ dish.
I tried my best. Admittedly it was phenomenal.
Adomas opted for the beef ramen. He did not expect it to come in such a vast portion. This was his fourth meal of the day. I seldom exceed one on account of terrible loneliness robbing me of appetite. It is pictured below, and what a sight it was.
Kimchi prides itself on no-nonsense authentic Korean food. This beef ramen was exactly that. Hearty; filling and replete with many wonderful flavours. They do ramen varieties soy sauce; seaweed; menma; pickled ginger and spring onions were all present and made for a delicious dish. Adomas very much enjoyed it.
I do hope you’ll meander down to Kimchi when you’re next in Selly Oak. It will make you forget all about the rat infested student houses in the surrounding area. An oasis in the dank, musky underbelly of Birmingham University’s forgotten suburb.
Before I go, here is a picture of Adomas at my home, looking groovy.
Enjoy!
by Cedric | Oct 17, 2018 | Food and Drink, General
Are you tired of Birmingham posts yet? Terribly sorry there are more to come. I must spend a considerable amount of my time here on account of my Master’s degree. But fret not, I shall still undertake to leave every now and then. There are some exciting places lined up for me to visit in the coming weeks.
But let’s get to the essential point. The Meat Shack.
Known throughout town as the restaurant where one is always referred to as “boss”, The Meat Shack provided me with endless greasy joy.
What you behold before you are frickles. Deep fried, cider battered pickles. They came with a choice of hot sauce and blue cheese sauce. The waiter recommended that I combine both. What a joyous dish this was. It accompanied the burger very well. Speaking of which…
Aged beef patty; red Leicester cheese; Dutch cheese; candy bacon crumb; Stornaway black pudding; Gochujang mayo and iceberg red onion.
The homemade burger buns; the ungodly combination of the aforementioned ingredients, the frickles – as you can imagine I had a marvellous time. Combining crumbled bacon and black pudding on a burger is nothing short of genius. What I would give to eat this burger again. In fact, I shall be taking my class to our monthly luncheon there at the end of October.
While you’re there, take time to appreciate the honest and brash artwork which dominates the walls. all are done by local Birmingham artists. I’m so impressed with the Meat Shack. The prices are reasonable and the quality of the food is high. Meals here are prepared to a high standard and have yet to disappoint me. I look forward to hearing my colleagues’ responses in a few weeks.
One additional advantage is its proximity to Birmingham New Street station. As you can see from the map, below, you won’t have to walk very far! And if you’re driving, there is a car park right next door.
The Meat Shack is the place to go for a groovy burger. You will certainly not be disappointed!
by Cedric | Oct 5, 2018 | Food and Drink, General
On account of numerous disturbing inadequacies, I had to stay in a ‘hotel’ for a few days before moving into my new accommodation in Birmingham. During this time, some other ‘guests’ decided to take ecstasy and dance around all night in the ‘room’ above me.
Needless to say, after one night of this, I needed a drink. For some reason, I thought it might be a good idea to go to my new house to see if the landlord had done any of the 3 things we agreed he would do before I moved in. Nothing had been done. It looked as though nobody had visited the place in months.
So I looked for the nearest pub. Of course Harborne village, lovely though it is, has been gentrified. One has great difficulty finding somewhere to eat or drink which isn’t part of some awful national chain which seem to make a living on reducing comestible quality across the board.
But, fear not, White Horse came to the rescue. I got my reasonably priced cider and sat down. I write better when I’m furious. And in the company of animals. Thankfully, in addition to its many positive points, White Horse is also home to Socks.
This regal dame is a permanent fixture at White Horse. Though the picture does not show them, her paws are snow white, earning her the moniker Socks. Looking at here here and seeing how agile she is leaping across the bar, one would not dream that Socks is actually 20 years old!
The White Horse has become one of my favourite pubs in the Midlands. The atmosphere is friendly; the staff are great and the art lining the walls is fascinating to look at. But if Socks isn’t enough to convince you of the White Horse’s quality, I am unsure whether anything shall!
by Cedric | Sep 17, 2018 | Food and Drink, General
Apologies for the long title, but there is so much I want to say about this place. I find it difficult to hide my confounding joy when I think about Gustami.
What a place. This is the Loffredo of Birmingham. Gustami is run by an Italian family. It is secluded and has few seats. Of course, the best places on this blog fit this description.
I’ve been here many times. I plan to go weekly. The prices are so economical that one can dine there frequently. I’m so elated about Gustami! Have a look at this!
The taglio misto, my first of many dishes here. Chilli pecorino; mortadella; speck; artichokes; ricotta… so much more! This is as close as you will get to the Italian misto in Birmingham.
The quattro formaggi, my mother’s go to, was equally as stunning as the starter. I know I do not condone using grated cheese on a pizza. In fact, I find the practice deplorable. But this is Birmingham, remember, and most clients are not as snooty as me. The dough was fresh, the ingredients tasted excellent. But as you can see from the calzone in the featured image; each pizza here is top shelf.
The parmigiana and polenta con salsiccia were also astounding. Of the four occasions I’ve been to Gustami, two have been with my mother. Of course father was there too, but he was too stunned by the food’s quality to recognise what a gem we had found. Perhaps he had. I often don’t give him the vast amount of credit he is due.
Specials change every week at Gustami. I intend to try them all. The polenta was w/c 7/9’s special. I can tell you, it was superb. All made from scratch. What is especially impressive is that Chef makes all the pasta from scratch. And it is really good!
This was the ragú I had the other day. Top notch. The family comes from Emilia Romagna, Bologna so they ought to know how to prepare a ragú and they do!
If you have any room for dessert, I recommend the profiteroles. But all of the desserts will leave you feeling delirious. And deeply sleepy! be sure to go for dinner if you plan to go full whack, as I do.
Go once, twice and thrice! Try everything on the menu. I can’t praise this restaurant enough. This is truly a jewel in the Suggestion Crown. I am elated to be able to share it with you.
by Cedric | Sep 11, 2018 | Food and Drink
Imagine my surprise, not only at my superiors sending me to Durham two days after I moved to Birmingham, but also at finding this café once there!
There are far fewer braziers in the Launderette than Bald Hiker’s photo (which I mercilessly pinched for my cover) suggests. Nonetheless, I was impressed by it’s other ample qualities. I’m going to let you absorb the enormity of that last pun for a moment.
The building was originally opened in 1928 as part of a 320 seat cinema, Crescent Cinema. In the 1941 it became Rex Cinema which closed in January 1958. (Bald Hiker)
The Old Cinema Launderette is one of a kind. Never in my vast and overwhelmingly pretentious experience have I seen a cafe combined with a Launderette. In addition to copious cups of coffee, you can clean your clothes! They do snacks and even live music events of a weekend evening. But coffee is not the only beverage one can order here, far from it.
They also have a large selection of booze! Of course I went before (and during) lunch so I couldn’t possibly imbibe. Additionally, I was driving. I think driving under the influence is the final taboo and ought never to be broken.
I was and remain deeply impressed simply by how cool the concept of this establishment is. Can you say honestly that you have been to a place where the staff can make a Manhattan and tell you how best to remove paint stains from your expensive jeans? No? Me neither, until now.
While I was enjoying two sandwiches from Jani’s Deli (a delightful place for an economic lunch, just three doors down), I met this lovely little pooch. I think it’s a Terrier. Correct me if I’m wrong. Regardless, he was surely the highlight of my trip to the Old Cinema Launderette.
This is one suggestion which I shall return to time and time again. I am seldom so vastly impressed by a cafe. This concept was so well executed it begs for my return to delve deeper into its history. I’m so glad I went.
Old Cinema Launderette has to be one of my top suggestions!
by Cedric | Sep 8, 2018 | Food and Drink, General
If you’re meandering around Cambridge and are feeling peckish, head over to Stir. There you shall find a stunning interior design scheme, created and photographed by Mystery LTD London.
I first came to be stirred, if you’ll pardon the pun, in December. On a cold Cambridge morning, I had a coffee and refreshing breakfast there. The night before had not been kind to me. I was welcomed and felt immersed into a world of delectable dining and high style.
This visit was far more productive. I arrived shortly before I was due to start my work and profited from the extra time to have an elaborate breakfast.
The coffee. Super duper.
But the main event for me was the poached eggs on sourdough bread with halloumi fries. Oh boy. A Cypriot/British fusion triumph. I’ll let the picture do the talking…
The egg was so beautifully poached. All the yolky goodness flowed onto the sourdough bread and fused gorgeously with the mushroom and halloumi. I can’t express what joy one is filled with on ingesting these morsels of greatness. One feels healthy and one feels hearty.
I’m so impressed by the professionalism and consistency of the staff. The atmosphere is relaxed, the food and drink are of the highest quality. And, to top it all off, it is central. The city centre is a ten minute walk away which means there is plenty of free parking around. Just don’t abuse it. Cambridge residents are not as quaint ans harmless as they look, believe me.
In all, this is one of my hidden gems. Family run; away from main monuments and hellishly good food. Go and bring your friends. You won’t regret it.
